Who has or is planning to get an electric car / EV Talk

[I7guy]

I live in massachusetts, and owning an EV is absolutely not feasible for me. I'm not saying my usage patterns/habits are typical - they're just mine. Driving EVs in the cold limits the battery performance, I don't want to wait 20, 40, 60 minutes to charge my vehicle, when it only takes a minute or two to fill up my truck.

I can see Hybrids becoming more popular here over EVs, and the numbers seem to show that people are turning to hybrids over evs.

We have a Tesla and also a CRV Hybrid (for my OH). With my Tesla I don't have to go to a gas station, charge at home. I have supercharged twice since I acquired the car. I just brought my car into Tesla for the first time in a year and a half and asked them to check a number of maintenance items. My total bill was $70 for a tire rotation everything else was fine. Brakes, radiator, alignment and smutz under the front cameras etc.

The hybrid gets pretty ok gas mileage overall around 40-45 mpg. But for the Tesla the time and money I have saved will more than balance out by the rigors of a Tesla "road trip" if I take one. I live in the NY metro area so not the same as Mass. I used the car as a commuter car and for that it's fantastic. Also have free charging in the building where I commute to. I my daily usage is mostly commuting I am not worried about road tripping. My EV purchase is not for exception case but for the typical use case. EVs may not be for everyone, but for many imo, the daily use cases are perfect for an EV.

And for sure there are challenges to continued EV adoption.

 

[Apple fanboy]

In other EV news Tesla’s has lost its title as worlds biggest EV producer to BYD.

Hardly surprising given the ending of tax credits in the US and the backlash against their CEO pretty much everywhere else.

Plus if I’m honest I think the BYD’s I’ve seen look good, although I’ve not been in one in the real world.

 

[jz0309]

I live in massachusetts, and owning an EV is absolutely not feasible for me. I'm not saying my usage patterns/habits are typical - they're just mine. Driving EVs in the cold limits the battery performance, I don't want to wait 20, 40, 60 minutes to charge my vehicle, when it only takes a minute or two to fill up my truck.

I can see Hybrids becoming more popular here over EVs, and the numbers seem to show that people are turning to hybrids over evs.

That is fine, and it depends on your usage as you say. From the 2 EV forums I frequent (Chevy Bolt and Hyundai) I know there are folks in Mass, Minnesota and others for whom an EV works fine in the winter too, YMMV

 

[jz0309]

Indeed. Not likely to change either I’m afraid over there. But I guess eventually the US will catch up with the rest of us.

Well, in reality the huge delta in fuel pricing is taxes, eg read today that in Germany a CO2 tax effective 1/1 raised fuel prices by 3 cents … taxes in the US will not rise that much in my lifetime , and I do not mean the 3 cents, I mean the 2 Dollars or whatever …

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well, in reality the huge delta in fuel pricing is taxes, eg read today that in Germany a CO2 tax effective 1/1 raised fuel prices by 3 cents … taxes in the US will not rise that much in my lifetime , and I do not mean the 3 cents, I mean the 2 Dollars or whatever …

In the UK it works out about $7-8 per US gallon. So we are more than happy to ditch petrol for free charging.

 

[jz0309]

I would offer one of the reasons for EV weakness in the US is our uncompetitively low fuel (gasoline/petrol) prices at the pumps. Locally, most stations are currently charging around $2.599/gallon, or about 0.58Euros/liter. Obviously these prices are supported by massive Federal subsidies to oil exploration->production->refining->delivery processes that electricity does not enjoy here.

I do not think that the raw oil price, pre-refinery, is that much lower in the US compared to elsewhere, at the pump, the huge difference in price are the taxes the government (fed, state, local) imposes ...

 

[timber]

In other EV news Tesla’s has lost its title as worlds biggest EV producer to BYD.

Hardly surprising given the ending of tax credits in the US and the backlash against their CEO pretty much everywhere else.

Plus if I’m honest I think the BYD’s I’ve seen look good, although I’ve not been in one in the real world.

I have test driven the Seal (the nearest to the Model 3) and it's pretty good, better in several areas. Excellent quality.
I also tried the Dolphin but didn't like it so much. The materials seemed too poor and hard for my taste even considering the lower market positioning.
The Atto 3 (VW ID.4 size more or less) is quite common as a Uber type and I have taken several rides in it and it's also nice. It's the vehicle in the supercharger in the pic I posted above.
All three could benefit from a more Western design approach in the inside. Just a few details, nothing drastic.
Although I keep reading about sales increases I don't see that many BYDs in private hands, almost all seem to be Ubers. But that's just a pov in a small country.

 

[richard13]

I would offer one of the reasons for EV weakness in the US is our uncompetitively low fuel (gasoline/petrol) prices at the pumps. Locally, most stations are currently charging around $2.599/gallon, or about 0.58Euros/liter. Obviously these prices are supported by massive Federal subsidies to oil exploration->production->refining->delivery processes that electricity does not enjoy here.

Yea, I was just thinking about this the other day passing by a gas station and looking at the price of about $2.50/gal. I thought how ridiculous it is that the price has gone up and down over the years but is still basically the same as it was 30 or 40 years ago, right in the $2/gal neighborhood.

That said, I think I understand why it has stayed that way. We are so tied to our cars in the US that any sort of price correction would undoubtedly cause outcry from the ICE public.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Yea, I was just thinking about this the other day passing by a gas station and looking at the price of about $2.50/gal. I thought how ridiculous it is that the price has gone up and down over the years but is still basically the same as it was 30 or 40 years ago, right in the $2/gal neighborhood.

That said, I think I understand why it has stayed that way. We are so tied to our cars in the US that any sort of price correction would undoubtedly cause outcry from the ICE public.

lol. You make it sound like the rest of us hardly use cars! The whole world is tied to their cars.
I live in the countryside. Without a car I’m going nowhere.

 

[jz0309]

Yea, I was just thinking about this the other day passing by a gas station and looking at the price of about $2.50/gal. I thought how ridiculous it is that the price has gone up and down over the years but is still basically the same as it was 30 or 40 years ago, right in the $2/gal neighborhood.

That said, I think I understand why it has stayed that way. We are so tied to our cars in the US that any sort of price correction would undoubtedly cause outcry from the ICE public.

That's not the case everywhere in the US, I remember in the mid 90s that gasoline was just about $1/gal in CA, now it is around $4.50 though I will admit I don't pay close attention to gasoline prices anymore .
And yes, CA always had high gasoline pricing.

And here is a read on gasoline taxation in Europe:

Diesel and Gas Taxes in Europe, 2025

Fuel taxes continue to be a central policy consideration for European countries amid geopolitical conflicts, increased emphasis on environmental policy, and economic conditions experienced by average consumers.

taxfoundation.org

And from the same source in the US by state

Comparing 2025 Gas Taxes by State

California levies the highest tax on gasoline at 70.9 cents per gallon (cpg), followed by Illinois at 66.4 cpg and Washington at 59.0 cpg.

taxfoundation.org

 

[richard13]

lol. You make it sound like the rest of us hardly use cars! The whole world is tied to their cars.
I live in the countryside. Without a car I’m going nowhere.

Sorry, didn't mean to give you that impression. It's just that Americans seem obsessed with cars for everything.

 

[richard13]

That's not the case everywhere in the US, I remember in the mid 90s that gasoline was just about $1/gal in CA, now it is around $4.50 though I will admit I don't pay close attention to gasoline prices anymore .
And yes, CA always had high gasoline pricing.

And here is a read on gasoline taxation in Europe:

Diesel and Gas Taxes in Europe, 2025

Fuel taxes continue to be a central policy consideration for European countries amid geopolitical conflicts, increased emphasis on environmental policy, and economic conditions experienced by average consumers.

taxfoundation.org

And from the same source in the US by state

Comparing 2025 Gas Taxes by State

California levies the highest tax on gasoline at 70.9 cents per gallon (cpg), followed by Illinois at 66.4 cpg and Washington at 59.0 cpg.

taxfoundation.org

True, and I almost added something about that. CA is definitely an exception here. I have lived in several states (including CA) and the price is definitely different around the country.

 

[Huntn]

Funny, I charged my EV at a Buc-ee's in Texas earlier this year. (On a multi-thousand-mile road trip.)

The only place I've ever had to wait in line before charging on a road trip was in California. All over the "wide open Western United States" I've never had a problem finding a high speed charger when I needed one. Including when towing a trailer, cutting my range between charges to 100-120 miles. (Yes, in theory I could go up to 150 miles between charges, but that would mean arriving at the station at 0% and charging up to 100%, which isn't something I like to do.)

You could go 150 miles between charges? I was thinking the range of EV vehicles as in the 200-300mile range?

 

[jz0309]

You could go 150 miles between charges? I was thinking the range of EV vehicles as in the 200-300mile range?

I think that range was referring to "when towing", and yes, that would take a heavy toll.
Do you get more than 5mpg in a F150 when towing 8,000lbs? my guess is probably less ...

 

[Huntn]

I think that range was referring to "when towing", and yes, that would take a heavy toll.
Do you get more than 5mpg in a F150 when towing 8,000lbs? my guess is probably less ...

Do’h! 😶

 

[BigMcGuire]

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transpo...TvETNm6GzMIwTsAfcH4vNoDT1DSMZHGbG1QR7zT3wlg== Just read this an hour ago. Interesting as we were just talking about hybrid, full EV, etc. I'm rather surprised by this ...

Despite the significant increase in fatalities with hybrid, the article confirmed: "The data suggests fully electric vehicles have the lowest fatality rate at one death for every 55,000 of these cars on the road."

 

[jz0309]

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/hybrids-increase-risk-of-death-threefold-compared-to-petrol-cars-8cxxd62fq?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqep6tUpyxN07zVfs2Jer5JMdiRWvbZ7HVFGfSH3FzGcWH2aEg-JA8Eo&gaa_ts=69583816&gaa_sig=VVPHZ0Bvo1DLc4Zq11L4tLFkK6NrhmtGiNlcZClyFcyTvETNm6GzMIwTsAfcH4vNoDT1DSMZHGbG1QR7zT3wlg== Just read this an hour ago. Interesting as we were just talking about hybrid, full EV, etc. I'm rather surprised by this ...

Despite the significant increase in fatalities with hybrid, the article confirmed: "The data suggests fully electric vehicles have the lowest fatality rate at one death for every 55,000 of these cars on the road."

that can't be, EVs go up in flames at every corner, every day ...
/s


for serious, I'd like to see some more data on this, doesn't "feel" right

 

[richard13]

that can't be, EVs go up in flames at every corner, every day ...
/s


for serious, I'd like to see some more data on this, doesn't "feel" right

Pulled from DuckDuckGo Search Assist:

Electric vehicles (EVs) are significantly less likely to catch fire compared to petrol and diesel vehicles, with only about 25 fires per 100,000 sold, while petrol and diesel vehicles experience around 1,530 fires per 100,000. Hybrid vehicles have the highest fire risk, with approximately 3,475 fires per 100,000.

I recall seeing an article recently that something like you are 30x as likely to have a fire in an ICE vehicle than an EV. These numbers are even higher so I'd take it with a grain of salt. But it shows the "trend".

 

[JT2002TJ]

When I was in college in the late 90’s I remember paying $0.87 per gallon. Back then, you could fill a 20 gallon tank with $20 and get change back. At the time I drove a ‘79 MB 450 SLC (v8 that was thirsty).

There is no way to say the prices are even close to the same in the past 40 years.

 

[I7guy]

In other EV news Tesla’s has lost its title as worlds biggest EV producer to BYD.

Hardly surprising given the ending of tax credits in the US and the backlash against their CEO pretty much everywhere else.

Plus if I’m honest I think the BYD’s I’ve seen look good, although I’ve not been in one in the real world.

What is really the headliner in the earnings call is the energy business. But yeah the Model Y stole the crown for a few years in a row. Although I do not think I would ever purchase a BYD, even if they were for sale here.

 

[diamond.g]

I think that range was referring to "when towing", and yes, that would take a heavy toll.
Do you get more than 5mpg in a F150 when towing 8,000lbs? my guess is probably less ...

For EV truck towing the Silverado with the big (212kWh) pack can tow for like 200-250 miles between full charges. “Empty” it get like 400-450 miles of range. No one else is using such a large pack in a truck (I think Rivian’s largest pack was supposed to be 180kWh, but I am not sure if they actually shipped it).

 

[jz0309]

Pulled from DuckDuckGo Search Assist:

Electric vehicles (EVs) are significantly less likely to catch fire compared to petrol and diesel vehicles, with only about 25 fires per 100,000 sold, while petrol and diesel vehicles experience around 1,530 fires per 100,000. Hybrid vehicles have the highest fire risk, with approximately 3,475 fires per 100,000.

I recall seeing an article recently that something like you are 30x as likely to have a fire in an ICE vehicle than an EV. These numbers are even higher so I'd take it with a grain of salt. But it shows the "trend".

yea, we had discussions about "EVs catching fire" many many pages back and there were statistics posted (I think from an insurance consortium or whatever) that hybrids catch fire more often that other cars, what just seems odd to me is how that relates to deaths, that's what makes me wondering ...

 

[jz0309]

What is really the headliner in the earnings call is the energy business. But yeah the Model Y stole the crown for a few years in a row. Although I do not think I would ever purchase a BYD, even if they were for sale here.

I've only been reading Wall Street headlines/summaries and it seems that Musk sees the future of Tesla in robot axis and humanoid robots, that just makes me wonder where Tesla the automaker is going ...

As for BYD, I don't know, my concern is that they are not following the strict standards that automakers in the western world are doing/have to, both from a reliability and regulatory conformance standpoint. I could be wrong though.
But in the foreseeable future, we won't see Chinese EVs for sale here, except the ones manufactured over there by "established" automakers ...

 

[jz0309]

For EV truck towing the Silverado with the big (212kWh) pack can tow for like 200-250 miles between full charges. “Empty” it get like 400-450 miles of range. No one else is using such a large pack in a truck (I think Rivian’s largest pack was supposed to be 180kWh, but I am not sure if they actually shipped it).

yea, and that pack comes with quite a hefty pricetag too
wonder what the charging curve loos for these ...

Edit: quite imoressive

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST DC Fast-Charging Analysis (10-80%): A 350-kW Monster

Check out our 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST DC fast-charging analysis (10-80% SOC) in a real-world test of one of the best electric pickups on the market.

evchargingstations.com

 

[Student of Life]

When I was in college in the late 90’s I remember paying $0.87 per gallon. Back then, you could fill a 20 gallon tank with $20 and get change back. At the time I drove a ‘79 MB 450 SLC (v8 that was thirsty).

There is no way to say the prices are even close to the same in the past 40 years.